Northern California - Taxi's ALC 1st, Grace, and Tam Report

March 22nd Well today couldn’t have been a better day for riding. I did my first ALC ride. I started with some mild trepidation. Still trying to get over my bit of “Social Phobia”. ALC rides are always huge, with so many people. I’ve found over time that I tend to gravitate towards the prettiest flowers. Pretty woman completely distract me from my ridiculous fears for some reason. Then there was Grace.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/GraceWithBike.jpg


Then there was Tracy.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/TracyandBoyFriend.jpg

.................. Man, I’m such a sucker for these sirens!

The ALC leaders were great and super friendly. It was such and easy going event. Some group stretch’s and the rules of the road and we we’re off. Strict adherence to proper cycling is a must with these people. They don’t fool around. I respect that and tried very hard to honor that. I tried…
My other phobia is the bridge and I was determined to break that one today, and I did, out and back. Yeah me! I told Tracy before I crossed about my situation and she really got me across with no panic attack…success! Thanks Tracy I owe you one.
I ran back into Grace in Fairfax. Everyone was drinking coffee and waiting for to use the one bathroom. I told Grace I wanted to go, I was getting antsy… she was game and we split. We talked and I was completely blown away at how nice she was, and so driven for adventure. She’s was really adept with her bike handling skills hasn’t really been riding that long. I hit the first hill and told her I’d meet her at the top. Ha! She pulled the Alberto Contador and just dared me to drop her. Amazing on the hills! I’m in the process of recruiting her in the bike forum fold. We need more babes. Curtis just aint that hot to me anymore : ( Sorry bro but you lost some of that cuteness when you took your shirt of the other day…Hit a tanning booth for crying out loud! You look like a chubbier Rasmussen. : )…
We ended up breaking with the course and decided to side trip to Pt. Reyes Station where we shared a bucket of guacamole and a bag of chips. On the way out we had picked up Chris on his stealth green Mt. bike.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/GraceLunch.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Chris.jpg

He had gotten off course. Down to the epicenter and Sam P. Taylor Park. We hung out a little in Lagunitas.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/BobKatz.jpg



I split cause I decided to throw Mt. Tam in that package for myself. Stopped and got my self some Moca and 2 shots of Joe (caffiene) Met a ton of different characters.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/TrioatDam.jpg

including a one John Riddler who I chatted up a storm with. Nice to meet you John.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/JohnR.jpg
I headed up and took more picts till my battery ran out on my camera. So beautiful.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/TopOTam.jpg


I felt great and didn’t bonk all day even after 98 miles. Found a real cowboy to lead me out on the bridge. Never caught his name. Cathy had the usual awesome dinner waiting for me and now she’s making brownies…hmm I hang out with girls all day and come home and she still loves me?…What does she do all day anyway? I did find a strange pair of bowling shoe’s at the foot of the bed and a cigar in the sink… Oh well, these brownies are sure good… : ) Hope you all had great rides and met nice people. I missed riding with you all. You’re all kind of family and I don’t like being away. Gracie was a real bright spot in my day and kept from getting home sick for the BF crowd. If I could just get Grace to be my Tent mate for the ALC ride… I told her I’m safe, Cathy’s got me tied to her apron strings! We’re both spoken for, but she sure is a nice lady. Thanks Grace. Can’t wait to introduce you to my BF family.
Pete
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/ThreeOfUs.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Riding.jpg

Couple of more picts I couldn't fit

ALC Leader
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Leader.jpg

Horsey

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/BikeProfile.jpg

Grace

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Grace1.jpg

Drinkin my Joe and listening to music
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/PeteMusic.jpg

Heya Pete,

Was a pleasure riding with you and meeting you today on the ALC ride. You went on to do 98 miles? wow.

Anyhow, careful there my friend. I'm Tracey's other half... Hunter... the guy in the Green Sprinters Jersey from the '06 Tour of California.... you got pictures of :-) That siren is claimed! <kidding>

The ALC riders have become our new family on wheels. We love 'em. It's great to have you in it there with us too. We like to ride beyond the ALC, but pretty much so far stick the course to hang out with everyone. Would be a pleasure for Tracey and me to do some rides with you beyond the ALC too post June!

best,
-Hunter

PS: yah, I logged in and found ya!

I see how it is, Pete...

[taxi777 thought bubble]
Hmmm, should I go riding with a bunch of climbing wackos, or should I go for a nice long ride with some good looking wimmen?.... Wackos or wimmen?...
[/taxi777 thought bubble]
:D

Looks like you had a great day, too. I gotta ask ('cuz I've been wondering this for a while now), how many sets of kit do you have??! I don't think I've ever seen a pic of you in the same kit twice, lol.

That MoFo jersey is awesome! Great report Pete. We _could_ do a joint ALC/BF ride. How big is the ALC group?

Heya Pete,

Was a pleasure riding with you and meeting you today on the ALC ride. You went on to do 98 miles? wow.

Anyhow, careful there my friend. I'm Tracey's other half... Hunter... the guy in the Green Sprinters Jersey from the '06 Tour of California.... you got pictures of :-) That siren is claimed! <kidding>

The ALC riders have become our new family on wheels. We love 'em. It's great to have you in it there with us too. We like to ride beyond the ALC, but pretty much so far stick the course to hang out with everyone. Would be a pleasure for Tracey and me to do some rides with you beyond the ALC too post June!

best,
-Hunter

PS: yah, I logged in and found ya!

I know, I know....I'm bad... It's strange I can never remember the guys names : (
It was really fun riding with you all. Kind of a fast motion whirl wind, too many names faces and not enough time. Tracy was a champ getting me across that bridge. I never even thought about it the whole time. Hope to see you again soon.
Pete
BTW would love to have two ride with us... maybe the next East bay ride might be perfect if you don't want to come here.

I see how it is, Pete...

[taxi777 thought bubble]
Hmmm, should I go riding with a bunch of climbing wackos, or should I go for a nice long ride with some good looking wimmen?.... Wackos or wimmen?...
[/taxi777 thought bubble]
:D

Looks like you had a great day, too. I gotta ask ('cuz I've been wondering this for a while now), how many sets of kit do you have??! I don't think I've ever seen a pic of you in the same kit twice, lol. Ya gotta talk to my fashion director "Cathy" she watchs all that Runway Project stuff and dress's me before I got out. I'm just the dumb hot model...:rolleyes:

Hey Henry, that would be a cool idea...BTW you guys looked stunning today! Glad you had a great time.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/BobKatz.jpg


I think we saw the guy on the right in Sausalito, going back towards SF. At least someone with the same jersey. Sorry we missed ya, but I'm sure you were all tied up. ;)

BTW, what bridge are you speaking of??

Pete-I'm glad I met you-you have so much positive energy, it's great to be around you! Sure made the ride very fun and memorable. Not sure about being tent mates for ALC but do appreciate the offer. Hope you find someone great to tent with-guy or siren! Wow, 98 miles-bet you had a great, well-deserved nap afterwards. Grace

Pete,

By the way, I used the picture of the two of us riding on my ALC homepage-it's much more interesting than the original one I had-may help me get more donations.

Thanks,
Grace

He had gotten off course. Down to the epicenter and Sam P. Taylor Park. We hung out a little in Lagunitas.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/BobKatz.jpg



Hey, that's Katz on the right... I work with Bob!

Hey. I'm geting spoiled to these good write ups. If I read enough of them will I become a better stronger cyclist?

Great report! Between your ride and the Mt. Ham sufferfest, I'm really bummed I won't get to ride at all this beautiful weekend :(.

**curls into fetal position and sucks on thumb**

Pete: Great that you "lured" some other folks into this vortex..

Pete-I'm glad I met you-you have so much positive energy, it's great to be around you! Sure made the ride very fun and memorable. Not sure about being tent mates for ALC but do appreciate the offer. Hope you find someone great to tent with-guy or siren! Wow, 98 miles-bet you had a great, well-deserved nap afterwards. Grace

Hey, I bet your doggie missed you : ( . I had a great time with you and Chris, I felt like the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz! I kind of think Chris as the Lion. Maybe our next ride we'll meet the Tin man and you can bring Toto... I mean Baci..... You make a wonderful Dorothy, glad you made it back to Kansas... I had fun. We might be doing a ride soon down your way. You have to ride with us. My group are the best, you'll have a nice time.
Pete
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/566NLion-Tinman-Scarecrow-Wizard-of.jpg

Hey David, that's the Golden Gate, I have a problem with it for some reason. hope you had great fun too!

Gee: Bob Katz is a real nice guy. I knew him from other rides. I used to sneak along on their rides and not tell anybody to see how people are, which is wierd, part of that social phobia thing :) Sounds like everyone had a great ride yesterday.
Pete

So that's how to ride with women ... do the ALC training rides. :p

Hey David, that's the Golden Gate, I have a problem with it for some reason. hope you had great fun too!

Well, I don't blame you, it's almost 750 feet high, depending on the tide.

I'll bring a baby trailer with us next time if we cross with you. ;) :p

Well, I don't blame you, it's almost 750 feet high, depending on the tide.

I'll bring a baby trailer with us next time if we cross with you. ;) :p

Actually I'm fine if I'm blindfolded, but damn, I keep bumping into people!:(

That's because you've got such a magnetic personality. ;)

That's because you've got such a magnetic personality. ;)

Hey, did you and Lisa tear it up on the Tandem yesterday? or we're you solo?
Pete

Tandem team in da house!! :D

We saw a large group of cyclists in Fairfax when we rolled through around 11am. You must have been in that crowd. I was tempted to go back and look you up, but I wasn't leading the ride, and I didn't want to split the group. Maybe next time. :)